Introduction

There are a few factors that affect the rate of reaction which are temperature, reactant
concentration, pressure, reactant surface area and the presence of catalyst. This experiment is to
determine the activation energy and the initial rate of iodine clock. The Iodine clock reaction was
discovered by Hans Heinrich Landolt 1. Its mechanism is that two clear solution of known
concentration are mixed and after some time the solution will suddenly turn to yellow. The time
taken for the experiment will be measured and the rate of reaction can be determined.

Referring to the collision theory, one of the factors which influenced the rate of reaction
is concentration of reactants which are Peroxydisulphate and Iodide ions. If the concentration of
Peroxydisulphate is lower than Iodide, the concentration of iodide will hardly change during the
experiment. The rate of reaction seems as only depends on concentration of Peroxydisulphate
ions. The rate law will be determined using “Method of Initial Rates”. The rate law is written as:

−𝑑[𝑆2 𝑂82− ]
= 𝑘′[𝑆2 𝑂82− ]
𝑑𝑡
Hence, k (rate constant) can be calculated by considering the Iodide ion concentration is
in excess. The initial concentration of S2O82- is ao and that by time t fall to a.
𝑎𝑜
ln ( ) = k’t
𝑎

It is expected that the reaction occurs more quickly so a denying mechanism is introduced
into the system which is Sodium Thiosulphate solution is added to introduce Thiosulphate ions in
the system. In principle, the change in concentration over time can be monitored. Then the rate
constant can be calculated but not directly measured but using an indicator to show how fast the
reaction occurs. t is supposed to be the time taken for a fraction ξ of the S2O82- to be used up.
1 1
t = 𝑘′ ln( 1−ξ )

The time is inversely proportional to the rate constant for a fraction ξ of the reaction to
occur. So, by varying the condition which is temperature and monitoring the time taken for a
fixed amount of Peroxydisulphate to react, the changes of rate constant can be determined. The
rate constant (k) for any reaction varies with ‘0K’, absolute temperature (T) according to
Arrhenius Eqution

𝐸
𝑘 = 𝐴 exp[− ]
𝑅𝑇
𝐸
ln 𝑘 = ln 𝐴 [− ]
𝑅𝑇
 E is the activation energy of the reaction, R is the molar gas constant which is (8.21 x 10-2
L.atmK-1.mol-1) and A is A-factor which is related to the frequency of collision between the
reacting molecules. Arrhenius Equation holds a plot of ln 1/t against 1/T since that k is
proportional to 1/t. a straight line of slope (E/R) will obtained from which E may readily
determined.
Summary

The aim of the experiment was to determine the activation energy and the initial rate of
iodine clock which affected by different temperature. This experiment was divided into two
parts. For part A, 5 test tubes labelled as A-30ᵒC, A-40ᵒC, A-50ᵒC, A-60ᵒC and A-70ᵒC were
pipette with 5ml of 0.05M of Sodium Thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) and 10ml 0f 0.2M Potassium
Iodide (KI) into each of them. For part B, 5 test tubes labelled as B-30ᵒC, B-40ᵒC, B-50ᵒC, B-
60ᵒC and B-70ᵒC were pipette with 10ml of 0.1M Potassium Peroxydisulphate (K2S2O8) and 5
drops of iodine indicator in each test tube. Then the test tubes were placed into water bath with
different temperature. Exactly after 5 minute dipped inside the water bath, the solution in part A
was transferred into the test tube in part B. right after the solution were mixed, a quick change
were observed, the solution changed its colour from colourless to dark yellow after the reaction.
From the observation, we can conclude that the higher the temperature, the shorter the time taken
for the solution to become dark yellow. After some calculation, the activation energy was
obtained based on graph.

Post-lab Questions

1. Discuss the methodology needs to remain the iodide concentration. Use evidence from the
experimental method as well as the obtained results to justify the argument

-The concentration of the iodide must be higher than the concentration of peroxydisulphate so
that it will not easily change during the reaction occurs. Based on the procedure, it is stated that
the concentration of Potassium Iodide (KI) is higher than Sodium Thiosulphate (Na2S2O3). The
KI used was 0.2M while the Na2S2O3 used was 0.05M.

References

1. Yin, H., Du, Z., Zhao, J., & Shen, W. (2014). Kinetics of the oxidation of iodide ion by persulfate
ion in the critical water/bis (2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate/n-decane microemulsions. The
Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 118(45), 10706-10712.